Antonio_JFR
"And now, back to relaxing, fun, and sun!"
does the squats
does the squats
2020
This review contains spoilers
Nioh 2 has a lot going on. A dense, and meaty combat system, a loot driven gear economy, souls style leveling, online features, and a story that charts the rise and fall of Japanese warlord, Toyotomi Hideyoshi in the midst of a world overrun by Yokai.
I think some of these features are stellar, some are simply not for me, and others are arguably worth having at all.
In Nioh 2, combat is king, and the combat is stellar. Animations are responsive, enemy feedback is (mostly) very communicative, and the sheer depth of personal skill expression is astounding. Your arsenal consists of a plethora of weapons with loads of new combos or abilities to unlock through skill trees. Every weapon type is viable and unique with both flair and function in their animations to unlock the nuances of each fighting style. This is coupled with the ingenious stance system and Ki Pulse from the previous Nioh, along with some extra fun with burst counters, yokai shift, guardian spirits....
Nioh 2 has a lot going on.
The loot system is your typical rarity/level scaling where you're constantly swapping items out of your load out and selling what you don't need or is too weak. This is one of those "just not for me" parts. I think ARPGs (and this is one) are really fun! But I'm ever only interested in one playthrough usually, so the inevitable endgame where wild and interesting builds can be discovered is something I just don't interact with. It doesn't tickle my brain the same way just the deep combat system does.
As for the story its...weak to say the least. You would not be faulted for forgetting names, faces, or places as you cleave through Nioh 2. The characters are just not given the proper space to shine through and several are just not interesting. We jump literal decades through time as the story progresses and I there's nothing that really makes me feel like I'm pushing things forward, that Tokichiro is coming close to his dream. Characters just kinda...say that things are happening. There's not much to dig into here. It's a skeleton of a story, not an emotional or interesting narrative.
I think Nioh 2 is an excellent game, but there are some aspects that I simply don't prefer and others that just don't make the cut. It was a good time nonetheless.
I think some of these features are stellar, some are simply not for me, and others are arguably worth having at all.
In Nioh 2, combat is king, and the combat is stellar. Animations are responsive, enemy feedback is (mostly) very communicative, and the sheer depth of personal skill expression is astounding. Your arsenal consists of a plethora of weapons with loads of new combos or abilities to unlock through skill trees. Every weapon type is viable and unique with both flair and function in their animations to unlock the nuances of each fighting style. This is coupled with the ingenious stance system and Ki Pulse from the previous Nioh, along with some extra fun with burst counters, yokai shift, guardian spirits....
Nioh 2 has a lot going on.
The loot system is your typical rarity/level scaling where you're constantly swapping items out of your load out and selling what you don't need or is too weak. This is one of those "just not for me" parts. I think ARPGs (and this is one) are really fun! But I'm ever only interested in one playthrough usually, so the inevitable endgame where wild and interesting builds can be discovered is something I just don't interact with. It doesn't tickle my brain the same way just the deep combat system does.
As for the story its...weak to say the least. You would not be faulted for forgetting names, faces, or places as you cleave through Nioh 2. The characters are just not given the proper space to shine through and several are just not interesting. We jump literal decades through time as the story progresses and I there's nothing that really makes me feel like I'm pushing things forward, that Tokichiro is coming close to his dream. Characters just kinda...say that things are happening. There's not much to dig into here. It's a skeleton of a story, not an emotional or interesting narrative.
I think Nioh 2 is an excellent game, but there are some aspects that I simply don't prefer and others that just don't make the cut. It was a good time nonetheless.
1997
This is not my first Final Fantasy game, but it is the first one I ever finished. I recently graduated college and having been taking some much needed time off at home. While here, I dug up my old PS2 (and I do mean the original model) and a cavalcade of PS1 and 2 games, including the PS1 era Final Fantasy games. Naturally, I began with VII, a game that dominates GOAT lists, a game that seems to cast a shadow over every one of its follow-ups with how monumental its impact was.
For good reason, I discovered. This game is not perfect. Not now, nor before. Yet I was infinitely charmed. Translation errors read as unintentionally camp, rather than mistakes. Quirks and lulls of the ATB system were offset by wonderful spectacle (that no doubt was incredible for '97). The models may be crude polygons but the characters they represented were endlessly endearing. What Materia lacks in story/character significance, it supplements with experimentation and expression. The plot is bonkers but the emotion, the heart, is real.
It's been a while since I felt such a rush finishing a game. I'm so glad that I finally complete a Final Fantasy game, and I can't wait to explore the rest of the series.
For good reason, I discovered. This game is not perfect. Not now, nor before. Yet I was infinitely charmed. Translation errors read as unintentionally camp, rather than mistakes. Quirks and lulls of the ATB system were offset by wonderful spectacle (that no doubt was incredible for '97). The models may be crude polygons but the characters they represented were endlessly endearing. What Materia lacks in story/character significance, it supplements with experimentation and expression. The plot is bonkers but the emotion, the heart, is real.
It's been a while since I felt such a rush finishing a game. I'm so glad that I finally complete a Final Fantasy game, and I can't wait to explore the rest of the series.
2022
Fuck this game (I loved it). For real, a very well crafted, short-n-sweet horror experience. Every design choice is in favor of tension. No visual aid, use coordinates to find where you are. Constant, weird water noise outside. Steam spouting from pipes, sudden fires. Wonderful (horrifying) 90 minutes.
2022
Dynamic and fluid combat that was consistently fun and interesting. Interesting characters, stand-out being Odin and Freya. Side quests are mostly good and expand the world/history. Levels are linear but world isn't? Strange clash, makes re-exploration and backtracking annoying. Atreus delivery a bit oof. Liked it enought to 100% the game.
Original Steam Review:
Ori and the Blind Forest is an incredible experience with so much love put into it.
The first thing anyone should notice about the game is how beautiful it looks. The colors are vibrant and eye-catching, and the art style is unique and cohesive. Thankfully, the detailed environments almost never distract the player from the game. There were very few instances in which I lost sight of Ori.
As for the flow of gameplay, I've never felt anything better in terms of platformers. Controlling Ori works extremely well and the more movement enhancing abilities I garnered, the more fun I had exploring the environments. Moon Studios knew exactly how a Metroidvania style platformer should feel, and it shows.
Speaking of environments, the level design is really engaging and allows for multiple ways to achieve the same goal once Ori learns more abilities. Backtracking through the levels in search of secrets and bonuses feels very natural as well. This is also prevalent in the great world design. Everything flows between one location and another and it never feels jarring. I can get from any point on the map to another without needing a fast travel option (there is one). As I explored and re-explored the world, I noticed things I didn't before, which led me down new paths to make new discoveries.
The story the game presents is a simple one, but an effective one and that is all it needed to be.
Music is another major plus for the game. From calming waves of sound while you're exploring, to thunderous, heart-pounding escape music, this game has one of the best soundtracks I've heard. It always fits the pace of the gameplay, even during the most hectic moments, and forces the player along, inspiring them, calming them, or intriguing them.
The only warning I can give for the game is that it is not easy. While I completed it in only about 7 hours (9 1/2 to 100% that playthrough), some moments, particularly some of the climactic chases are a little frustrating and take several attempts. That is not to say the game is impossible, far from it. It just takes a little patience and learning.
Ori and the Blind Forest is an incredible experience with so much love put into it.
The first thing anyone should notice about the game is how beautiful it looks. The colors are vibrant and eye-catching, and the art style is unique and cohesive. Thankfully, the detailed environments almost never distract the player from the game. There were very few instances in which I lost sight of Ori.
As for the flow of gameplay, I've never felt anything better in terms of platformers. Controlling Ori works extremely well and the more movement enhancing abilities I garnered, the more fun I had exploring the environments. Moon Studios knew exactly how a Metroidvania style platformer should feel, and it shows.
Speaking of environments, the level design is really engaging and allows for multiple ways to achieve the same goal once Ori learns more abilities. Backtracking through the levels in search of secrets and bonuses feels very natural as well. This is also prevalent in the great world design. Everything flows between one location and another and it never feels jarring. I can get from any point on the map to another without needing a fast travel option (there is one). As I explored and re-explored the world, I noticed things I didn't before, which led me down new paths to make new discoveries.
The story the game presents is a simple one, but an effective one and that is all it needed to be.
Music is another major plus for the game. From calming waves of sound while you're exploring, to thunderous, heart-pounding escape music, this game has one of the best soundtracks I've heard. It always fits the pace of the gameplay, even during the most hectic moments, and forces the player along, inspiring them, calming them, or intriguing them.
The only warning I can give for the game is that it is not easy. While I completed it in only about 7 hours (9 1/2 to 100% that playthrough), some moments, particularly some of the climactic chases are a little frustrating and take several attempts. That is not to say the game is impossible, far from it. It just takes a little patience and learning.
Might be a genuine masterpiece of platforming game design. Unbelieveable freedom and joy of movement, especially after unlocking some key abilities. Shares some mechanics to Hollow Knight with "Shard Builds" instead of "Gems". Similar range of really useless to game changing. Looks gorgeous, plays like a dream, music sends you to another world. XBOX One has performance and loading issues. Got stuck in environment a couple times because of it, lol.
Really wonderful characters and great performances. Love the style, love the music, and even some of the exploration is compelling. Rubacava is a really neat level at first, was shocked at how large it was. There can be some great satisfaction from completing certain puzzles, makes you feel clever. Others feel too obtuse to get without hours of trial/error or a guide, and some just require loads of backtracking, which is not fun in this particular game. I don't regret playing it, and the conclusion is satisfying, but not sure I'll go back to adventure games soon. Funky controls too, didn't even try for tank controls, lol.
2023
Instant classic. Exceptionally polished, zero hiccups in my experience. Looks wonderful, cast is fantastic and incredibly memorable. Story is straightforward and does just what it needs to still be effective. Gameplay is some of the most fun I've had with an action game. Wonderful pacing, wonderful encounters, wonderful game. Loved every minute, minus some platforming, lmao. Want to come back to again and again. 9.5/10
"Prison is bad" - Frog Detective.
Lol, said the Frog. Lmao.
Fun for about 2/3rds of the game, then has a rough difficulty spike due to extremely accurate and high damaging enemies that disrupt the previous flow of combat. Longer than I expected, but enough enemy/weapon variety to keep it interesting for a while. Compared to some games of similar style now and then, feels a bit lackluster, but a good romp. Excited for sequel, will hopefully address gameplay concerns. Too much plot, not enough story.
Great retro style with bold colors and terrific pixel art. Movement is quick and smooth, if a bit floaty. Weapons all feel solid and I used almost all of them at every point of the game. Not a lot of innovation, but a rock solid experience that does its job well and doesn't stick around too long.